If possible, any visit to Milwaukee [1] should be planned around Summerfest [2] in late June/early July. Also, the new Harley-Davidson Museum [3] will have to be fit in with any of these!
Start off with a Friday dinner of German food and then the sunrise illuminating your walk to the winged Santiago Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum [4]. After a stroll/bike/drive north along the grand lakefront [5] to the museums overlooking the north end atop the bluff line, it’s time for lunch in the funky Brady Street area [6].
In the afternoon, try to wander the Riverwalk [7] before a dinner at one of Milwaukee’s legendary fish fries.
Start out with Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin [8] as you learn the ins and outs of lake ecology, followed several hours later by lunch/strolling in the Historic Third Ward [7]. Take a river boat tour [9] of the rivers and harbor.
Go west, traveler—first to the museums and chapels of Marquette University [10]. You’ll absolutely have to take a tour of Miller Brewing [11] next. By now, you can either head for the nationally renowned Milwaukee County Zoo [12] just to the south or catnap for an evening Brewers [13] baseball game at the retro-futuristic Miller Park.
It’s time to hit the lovely green spaces that Milwaukee [1] should be famous for. You have two options. Choose between superb Whitnall Park [14] and Mitchell Park Conservatory [15] (a.k.a. the Domes) or consider the Schlitz Audubon Center [16]. Return to the lakefront, rent a bike, and strike off on the worthy Oak Leaf Trail [17].
The next day is a leisurely appreciation of the Old World neighborhoods laden with Cream City brick; take a two-hour Historic Milwaukee Inc. (828 N. Broadway, 414/277-7795, www.historicmilwaukee.org [18]) walking tour. The best architecture is next: Pabst Mansion [19].
Scenic auto stuff is fills the last full day, when the legs are weary. West of town one could visit Ten Chimneys [20], the retreat of Lynne Fontaine and Alfred Lunt, followed by a pilgrimage to the inspiring Holy Hill and a scenic drive through Kettle Moraine State Forest. Or drive north along the picturesque coast to the town that time forgot—Cedarburg [21].
With time left over—relax! (People never do that!)
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/entertainment-and-events/events/summerfest
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/west-downtown/harley-davidson-museum
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/milwaukee-art-museum
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/lakefront
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/neighborhoods-and-historic-districts/brady-street
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/historic-third-ward-and-riverwalk
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/discovery-world-pier-wisconsin
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/organized-tours
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/marquette-university
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/west-downtown/miller-brewing
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/west-downtown/milwaukee-county-zoo
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sports-and-recreation/spectator-sports/milwaukee-brewers
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/north-downtown/whitnall-park
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/west-downtown/the-domes
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/north-downtown/schlitz-audubon-nature-center
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sports-and-recreation/recreation/hiking-and-biking
[18] http://www.historicmilwaukee.org
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/sights/downtown/pabst-mansion
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/vicinity-milwaukee/ten-chimneys
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/wisconsin/milwaukee/vicinity-milwaukee/cedarburg